First time mom- natural birth with or without epidural?

Honestly, I think it’s best to just see how you get on and then decided at the time whether or not you want an epidural. You don’t know how you’re going to cope and how long or short your labour is going to be so it’s all very unpredictable. I had an epidural with my first but I had already been in labour for 48 hours, hadn’t had any sleep in that time, hadn’t ate and barely drank and he was back to back. If it had of been faster and he wasn’t back to back I think I could have managed without one. Just have to see how it goes at the time but your body is made for you this and you will get through it one way or another :)

I'm also a first-time mum to be, and I have opted for an epidural. I feel like pain relief is the best route for me, but everyone is different. I also learnt that you can have an epidural where you control the amount of drug you receive (it's called patient controlled analgesic/ PCA). I got told you can allow some sensation to come back when you are nearing the birthing stage so you feel more of the natural urges to push. I thought this sounded like a good compromise between a natural birth and epidural.

My advice is see how you feel on the day.

My LO was back to back and I had extremely painful contractions for 2 days at home where I couldn’t eat or drink anything without vomiting. I also had no sleep for over 48 hours as the contractions were continuous but not consistent times. I kept calling the EOU the pain was that unbearable but I wasn’t dilated enough to be admitted. Once I was I planned for a water birth but due to my LOs heart rate I got moved to the labour ward. Once i was in the labour ward I asked for an epidural right away. It was like being in a spa and I was then able to finally get some rest. I did end up with an emergency c-section.

There is a high chance I would have attempted the birth without the epidural if I wasn’t exhausted.

I also had it on my birth plan to refuse the epidural if I had asked for it but I had left it in the car.

My advice is keep an open mind.

I haven’t had any side effects from the epidural.

I am only reading your response after I wrote mine. 🤣 I honestly think anyone who had decided not to get one after that experience they deserve a medal 🤣

🤣 was just reading yours and thought SNAP!! Haha. Let’s pray for a smoother ride with our January babies 🙏🏼

I find out tomorrow if my Jan baby is going to have to come early. 🫣

My consultant let me know the odds of having a natural birth if I was induced and don’t like the odds. I’m sure the odds are case by case and aren’t relevant to everyone. So if that happens I’m asking for a planned c-section.

I was hoping to try VBAC this time but that put a spanner in the works 🤣

ohh really! Well, as long as baby gets here safely I suppose that’s all that matters in the end. When are you due? I’m due 9th but my first came at 38 weeks and I’ll be 38 weeks on Boxing Day - hoping he stays inside until after Christmas 😬🤣

4th Jan. My first came at 41 weeks and 1 day. 🤣